Liquid fuel burning apparatus



1946- M. A. POWERS. IITIAL.

2,405,234 RNING APPARATUS Fil ed Nov. 27, 1942 LIQU/ID FUEL Bu 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MIN-on A. Powers lVoe/ hf \SufferfI'e/d JMA yaw 6, 19.46.,- M. A. POWERS T AL LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 27, 1942 awe/Mom Mi/fan A. Powers Noe/ l7. Sufferf/e/d Patented Aug. 6, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID FUEL- APPARATUS I Milton A. Powers and Noel H.v Sutterfield, Dee troit, Mich., assignors to The Timkenp Detroit Axle Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Ohio Application. November 27, 1942,--Serial N o.- 467,136

Claims.

The present invention relates to liquid fuel burning apparatus, and is particularly concerned with oil burners of the wall flame type, in which combustion is limited to an annular zone located adjacent the combustion chamber wall.

Ihis invention is an improvement upon the Wall flame oil burner disclosed in Powers Patent No. 2,039,607. Burners made in accordance with the latter patent employ curved and straight segments. In square or rectangular furnaces it was necessary to'employ, combinations of straight and curved segments. In circular chambers only curved. sections are used. In some installations. it is necessary to employ segments havingtwo di'fierent degrees of curvature, to build upa flame rim that will. follow the contour of the furnace wallsufficiently closely to givethe desired efficient burner operation. This made it necessary for the dealer to stock a number of each kind of segment, and to also employ skilled workmen to make burner installations.

It is the major object of this invention toprovide a wall flame oil burner having all of the advantages of the burner disclosed in the aforementioned Powers patent, but embodying a .flame rim made up of a plurality of comparatively short segments of identical shape and. size, whichare so designed, andare connected. together in such manner that they may be assembled to form a continuous flame rim, closely following the contour of thewall of the combustion chamber in which they are installed, irrespective of. whether the chamber is of square, round, oblong or obrotund' cross-section, and'yet which is substantially oil and air tight, thereby'making it possible to stock segments of a single design and size, and also facilitating assembly evenby comparatively unskilled workmen.

A further important object is to provide a flame rim i'gniter segment made of plain sheet steel and having a heat resistant coating for protecting its exposed surfaces from the heat of combustion and also embodying a heat resistant electrically conductive section located in sparking relationship to an electrode, for effecting efficient ignition when theburner is started.

Another object is to provide a flame rim segment for a wall flame burner which is made of plain sheet metal and hasa' heat resistant coating for protecting its surfaces against direct exposure to the combustion gases and is so designed'tliat it will not undergo harmful distortion, even when heated to extremely high temperatures.

Further objects are. to, provide a segmental flame rim assembly which is, adjustable as to length, to enable it. to be exactly fitted tothe combustion, chamber, and. in. which the ,joints between the segments are so related to the oil projectingv head as to precludelprojection -of .oil through the jointslduring. burner'operation; to provide novel grill and segment assemblies which may be so installed asto provide concentricflame rim and grill ringspto provide improvedv means for securing the flame rim in placeon the hearth and which will insure proper spacing thereof fromv the combustion chamber wall; and to provide other subordinate wall. flame-oil burner improvements. and refinements.

Further objects will becomeapparent asthe specification proceeds in. conjunction with the annexed drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmental, vertical sectional view through an oil burner embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a pair of adjacent segments of Figure l showing the manner in which they are telescoped together;

Figure 3 is a front elevation ofthe segment assembly of Figure. 2, and illustrates the pair of supports for one of the grills in place on the impingement wall; 7

Figure 4 is a fragmental; sectional viewtaken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmental sectional view of the; upper edge of one of the segments shown in Figure 1; V

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrates a pair of segments of modified form, and also illustrates the parts in the position they assume adjacent a straight walled portion of the combustion chamber Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the segment assembly shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is aright-hand end elevational view of the structure shownin Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, but illustrates a modified. form of igniter assembly forming part of the invention;

Figure 1.0v is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 9', the hearth material being removed and the flame rim being shown in section to more clearly illustrate the assembly;

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a modifled form of flame rim segment of the invention; and,

Figure 12 is a frontelevational view of the segment shown in Figure 11.

With continued reference to they drawings, in

which like reference charactershave been employed to designate similar parts throughout the several views thereof, the invention has been illustrated as installed in a boiler installation'embodying a boiler B having a heated water section II supported on a base section l2. The boiler shown is of circular cross-section, but the invention "is applicable to -boilers "of other} shapes, as will be hereinafter pointed out;

Secured to the boiler base section by studs I3 and nuts [4 is a metal hearth plate carrying a hearth it of suitable refractory material, which may be molded into finished form and assembled at the factory with the novel flame rimstructure of the present invention, or if desired, assembly of the flame rim and moldingof the hearth may be carried out on the job. Secured in a central opening H in the hearth is fa distributorassemtion S, which receives the end of the neighboring segment, thereby forming an overlapping or telescoping joint. The socket is formed by pressing out or embossing portions 32, 33 and 34 in the air deflecting wall 28; the oil impingement wall 2?; and base portion 28 of the segment, respectiv'ly, As -seen in Figu're 2,?the socket is pressedouto'f the base portion along a line 35, which is inclined with respect to the segment axis so that the segments may be assembled either in the angular relationship illustrated in Figure 2,

' or in a straight line relationship along the straight portions of boilers of square or rectanguiar crosssection, suihcient play or lost motion being provided in the joints to permit free articulation during assembly, and yet fitting sufficiently tight j to iormzsubstantially oil and air tight joints. In

bly D, comprising a motor driven shaft [8 rigidly carrying a fan top I!) provided with a plurality of blades 21. Shaft l8 also rotatably supports a distributor cup (not shown) which centrifugally delivers-oil to'a plurality of oil flinger tubes 22, which rotate with the fan and cup.

The head-operates in .a well known manner to project astr'eai'nof unatomized oil droplets along the generaltraiectory indicated by the arrows 22a toward the flame rim F,-and also delivers a blast of air below the oil'trajectory along a separate path designated by the arrows 23, for deflection by the low-flame rim wall into intersection with the oil atomizing and vaporizing on the impingement wall of the iiame-rimyin the manner to be hereinafter'pointed out.

- If desired chrome 'alloysheet metal may be used to construct the flame rim and grills, but we have discovered that it is possible to successfully utilize thin, low cost, non-heat resistant steel flame rims-in wallflame oil burners by providing the rim with a protective vitreous coating sufilciently thin to render the rim assembly thermally conductive to promptly respond to combustion conditions adjacent the combustion zone, and thick "enough to protect the metal against oXidization-or carburization.

' By making a flame rim of a plurality of identical comparatively short segments and joining them together in overlapping relationship, a set or segments may" be assembled in overlapping relationship on the hearth to form a substantially continuous wall in combustion chambers of round, sciuare, elliptical or oblong shape with the flame rim, closely following the contour oi' thewall, and'a" thoroughly practical construction provided. --Refer1'iiig to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the flame rim Fo fthis form of the invention is made up of a plurality of segments 25' seating directly upon the hearth and anchored thereto. Each segment is of channel shape having a low, air deflecting wall it located in the path of'air projection, a' hi'gher oil impingement wall 27 located in the pathoi the oil droplets thrownby the distributor head, and a fiat base portion 28,which seats upon the hearth, Preferably welded to therear face of the oil impingement wall of each seg nent'is asecuring element-29,,provided with anbpening 3!, and is pointed toiacilitate pushirig it into the plastic hearth. As seen in Figures 1 and 3,- eachjm'ember '29 is embedded inthe hearth while the hearthmaterial isstill plastic. The hearth material flows into openings 3! and provides a direct mechanical interlockwith the hearth when the material has hardened, thereby firmly anchoring the segments in place."

Referring to Figures 2' and acne end of each segment is provided vl'rith 'an enlarged socket poreither event a joint i formed which is substantially oil and air tight, and the invention accordingly provides a segmental flame rim having continuity substantially throughout its length, and, because of the nature of the overlapped joint between the segments, and the fact that the segments are comparatively short, the segments may be made of identical size and shape and a pinrality of them installed in any type boiler, irrespective of whether it is of square, rectangular, round or elliptical cross-section, and assembled on the hearth so as to provide a flame rim closely iollowlng the contour oi the boiler Wall.

Mounted upon each pair of neighboring segments is a grill G of the character shown in Cole Patent No. 2,104,691, granted January 4, 1938. Each grill is provided at each end thereof with a support 3'! having a pair of notches 38. The grills are adapted to be supported upon the flame rim, with the upper edge of the impingement wall of each segment received in a notch of each support, as illustrated in Figure l, and if desired the grills may be invertedand supported in the other pair of notches when it is desired to vary the mixing action of the grills, as disclosed in the aforementioned Cole patent.

As indicated by the illustration of the grill supports in Figure 3, the relationship between the grill and segment lengths is such that the grills are slightly shorter than the combined overlapped length of two segments, with the result that any even number of segments may be installed in .a boiler and a, complete set of grills, providing substantially a continuou grill ring, 1 installed in place on the flame rim.

In the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration'the segments and segment legs are preferably made of twenty gauge vitreous enameledsteel; Armco iron sheets; or S. A. E. 1010 or its equivalent plain sheet steel specially pickled for enameling. The segments are each two inches long plus the overlap. The grills are preferably made with thellegs located three and one-half inches apart and made of twenty gauge material, for additional strength and stififness.

Since it is impractical to bend any of the parts after they have been enameled, the parts are formed into final shape before they are enameled, as will now be described.

The grills and segments are thoroughly coated by dipping or spraying with a silica frit or other suitable heat-resistantv'itreous enamel coating, denoted in Figure 5 .by the reference character 39, particular attention being paid to coat the sharp edges of all parts, and all surfaces subjected to high temperatures. The parts are then the baking temperature being in excess of 1600 5. degrees Fahrenheit, so as to materially exceed the temperatures to which the parts will be subjectedduring normal operation, thereby insuring long life of the enamel coating and thorough protection of the coated surfaces.

During installation. the hearth is built up of refractory ceramic material to the required thickness, and while it isstill plastic the segments are mounted thereon, assembled in overlappingrelationship and spaced the proper distance-from wall iii, and securing elements 29 are forced downlinto the. hearth material. In conversion installations having'small or poorly accessible combustion -chambers, the segments may be supplied assembled. in overlapped relationship secured together by a band of adhesive or Scotch tape along the inside of wall 21. The complete ring is thus'inserte'd into thechambet, and since the adhesive tape permits articulation at each joint, the flame rim may be accuratelyplaced on the hearth to follow the contour-- of'wall ll, irrespective of Whether it is of round, square, oblong or elliptical configuration. Thet'apemay be left in place, as it will burn away upon starting of the burner. Since the segments are comparatively short it is possible to employ identical shape and size segments in all installations to build upa rim having straight portions or curved portions of comparatively shortradius-and yet provide a continuous flame rim' structure, relatively free from air and oil leaks. Also, because of the nature of the overlapped-joints, it is possible to increase or decrease, by minor amounts, the length of the flame rim on the job to exactly adapt it to the combustion chamber size; The overlapped joints also permit free expansion and contraction of the segments in response to heating and cooling. After the rimhas been installed on the hearth as just described, the hearth material is preferably permitted-to set, and then a set of grills is applied to the flame rim. One of the grills is illustrated in place on the flame rim in Figure 1, with notches 38 seating on the impingement wall. Notches 38 are formed to final shape before enameling takes place, with sufficient lost motion to avoid the necessity of'bending the parts during assembly to properly fit the rim. As indicated in Figure 3, each grillhas a length slightly less than the combined length of two overlapped segments, with the result that when aset' of grills is in place on the segments they are disposed closely together so as to form a substantially complete grill ring, paralleling or-concentric with the ring of flame rim segments;

The improved burner of the invention operates in substantially the same manner and produces results comparable to those set forth in the aforementioned Powers and Cole patents.

Ignition is effected in well known manner, as for instance by means of a pair of electrodes located adjacent the front face of impingement wall 21, or if desired a single electrode may be located in spark-forming relationship to the front face of a single chrome alloy steel unenameled segment, the latter functioning as a second electrode. The unatomized oil droplets projected along the trajectory 22a are both atomized and vaporized by impact with heated impingement wall 21, and the air flowing along the trajectory 2 3 is deflected upwardly b wall 26 into intersection with the oil atomizing and vaporizing on wall Z-Fadj'acent thetop of the flame rim. Combustion takes place above and outwardly of the flame rim, paft ofthe combustiongases eddying behind wall 21 and transferring heat by contact, directly; to wall II and to the rear face of .21., while a part of the'gases are driven upwardly throughthe apertures of grills'G and burn closely adjacent the upper surfaces of the grills; providing. a flame having a blue base and yellow tips, directed against. wall i l in efficient heat transferring relationship therewith.

Impingement'wall 21 is accordingly heated to a high oil vaporizing temperature bythe combuse tion gases eddying behind it, and also by reason of heat radiating directly downwardl from grills G, The temperature of the segments however is kept below temperatures that would melt the enamel or otherwise. injure the segments, by the rapidre-transfer of excess heat by radiation, part of it directly from wall .21 to boiler wall! l.

In Figures B and 7 there is illustrated aimodifled form of segment 25a ofsubstantially thessame shape as that just described, having a low air defleeting wall 23a. and an impingement wall 21a J'Oined by abase portion 23a, but a modified joint is employed between the segments, and: additional spacing members are associated with theseg-v ments.-

In this form of the invention walls zfiaandl'zlu at on end of each segment extend beyond base portion 28a, and are disposed in overlapping en-. gagement with walls 26a and 21a of theadjacent segments, as shown in Figures 6' and 'l. The. base portions of the neighboringsegments meet at. a butt joint t: when they are disposed inq'the: straight line relationship shown in'solid lines When the segments are disposed-in angular relationship, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 6, there is a triangular opening betweenthe adjacent base sections 28a, butsince the segments rest directly upon the hearth, and the-space is. filled with plastic hearth material a good jointis nevertheless achieved.

In this form of the invention .a modifiedsecur ing and supporting means is also preferably used.v Securing elements 29a are formed in a vmetal plate or strip 42, secured, as. by welding,.to the rear face of each segment. Also bent upwardly and rearwardly from eachplate 42. is a spacerl'eg d3 which bears'against wall ll and assures proper uniform spacing of each segmentfrom the wall during installation, as well as increased hearth bearing support Asseen in Figures 6 and 7, wallZla extends further beyond base portion 28a than wall 26a, so that when the segments are disposed in the angular relationship illustrated in dotted lines, a. substantiallyoil and air tight seal betweenthe segments may nevertheless be maintained.

This form of the segment and. it grills. are

enameled. andinstalled on the hearth in the same manner as the one previously described, and is the preferred .fOrm' because it possesses the additional advantages that spacer-legs lli definitely insure proper spacing from the wall, and the' segment moreover is madepf a flat piece. of material, obviating the additional costly embossing or socket-forming operations required by the segments of Figures .1 to 5, inclusive, rendering it much cheaper and simpler to produce; Also, these segments lie flat upon the hearth, thus more easilyproviding an airtight joint.

In both forms of the invention the flame rims are assembled in such manner'that the joints 44- and Ma between impingement walls 21 and 21a,

respectively, all face'in the same direction, and fan 9 is designed to rotate in such direction that the oil droplets discharged from tubes -2'2 are" 7 thrown. in such direction as to avoid driving oil into the overlapped joints.

Referring to Figures 2 and 6, counterclockwise head rotation projects the oil droplets substantially tangentially with respect to the head periphery along outwardly directed paths, one of which is indicated by the arrow 45 in Figure 2. As seen by arrow 45, this direction of head rotation tends to drive the oil past each joint, thereby avoiding driving oil into the joints. This insures against leakage of oil behind the rim during initial operation of the burner.

From the foregoing detailed disclosure of the invention it is apparent that the invention provides a rotary wall flame oil burner providing comparatively short segments of identical size and novel form which may be installed in combustion chambers of round, square, oblong or elliptical shape to build up a flame rim closely following the contour of the boiler wall, and at the same time the assembly provides suificient freedom of relative longitudinal movement in the joints to allow the length of the flame rim to be slightly increased or decreased durin assembly, to exactly fit it to the size of the combustion chamber in which the flame rim i installed.

In Figures 9 and 10 We have shown a modified form of igniter segment which makes it unnecessary to employ one or more special chrome alloy non-enameled segments to eifect eflicient ignition.

vIn this form of the invention hearth I6 is supported on hearth plate l5 as in Figure 1, and preferably two special igniter segments 25b, of the same general character, and enameled as the segments 25a previously described, but each em bodying an electrically conductive mass, are substantially diametrically spaced around the flame rim. Welded to the bottom of each igniter segment are a pair of metal strips 5| and 52, whose outer ends cooperate with the boiler wall to space the segment the proper distance therefrom, in the same manner as members 43 of Figures 7 and 8. Strip 5] also has a downturned inner end 291: which is anchored in the hearth.

Located in upright wall 21b, in the area of oil impingement, is an opening 53, and welded to the rear face Of the impingement wall, by means of flanges 54 and 55, and aligned with the opening, is a sheet metal cup or pocket-forming member 56, which, as seen in Figure 9, is open at the top and is filled with a mass of electrically conductive material 51. The latter is preferably formed by mixing granular carborundum and a binder and water, toform a plastic mass which,

after it has been molded into the pocket, hardens to a solid mass, presenting a face conforming substantially to the face of the impingement wall. If desired, an insulating material may be incorporated in the binder to increase the resistance thereof and cause it to heat up when a current is passed through it. The material is molded into .the pocket after it ha been enameled and baked,

and after the parts, that will now be described, have been secured to the assembly.

Strip 52 is provided with a downturned inner end 59, which is welded to an electrode positioning ring 6| and has a high tension terminal 62 at its lower end. Member 59 passes downwardly through aligned openings in the hearth and hearth plate, and supported on a plate 63, seating on the hearth plate, by meansof welded ears 64 and 65, is a split clamp ring 66, whose ends are secured together by a, screw 61. The clamp ring is secured to memlber'59 by a nut and screw assembly 68, which is vertically adjustable thereon, to compensate for variations in hearth thickness. Y

Clamped in ring 66 is an insulated electrode assembly 69 having a terminal H at its lower end and a curved electrode 12 disposed in sparking or arc-forming relationship to mass 51. The igniters may be energized in well known manner to ignite the impinging oil upon starting the burner, and are preferably connected to a stepup transformer having a relatively high milliamperage output, for producing hot flaming arcs at the impingement wall. Assembly of the parts is preferably carried out as follows. After all the parts have been welded to segment 251), including pocket 56, they are all coated with enamel, except the inside surfaces 14 of the pocket, the inside of ring 6|, (so that it may be designed to have a snug fit with the igniter assembly) and the portion of member 59 below the level of the ring, and baked to produce a heat resistant coating. Mass 57 may then be molded in place. Plates 63 are then molded in the hearth with the igniter assemblies thereon, and nut and screw assemblies 68 applied. Final adjustment of electrode 12 may be carried out after the hearth has hardened, by loosening screw 61 and rocking the assembly about the vertical axis to establish the proper spark gap.

This assembly accordingly makes it possible to employ ordinary heet steel for the flame rim igniter segments and associated parts, as all the surfaces exposed to the flame are protected by a heat-resistant coating, and the insides of pockets 56 are protected by masses 51, and an efficient electrical path at each igniter is established through member 59; segment walls 281) and 27b; the inner surfaces 14 of pocket 56; mass 51; the spark gap; electrode 12 and terminal H.

In Figures 11 and 12 there is disclosed a modifled form of-segment 250, of the same general shape as the one shown in Figures 7 and 8, but embodying stiflening or reinforcing means, which prevents the impingement wall from undergoing harmful distortion, even when heated to extremely high temperatures, and also makes it feasible to employ somewhat lighter gauge inaterial than in the previously described forms of the invention.

The reinforcing means comprises a preferably continuous head or corrugation pressed out of the impingement wall 210, and having vertical portions 15 and 16 joined by a horizontal portion 17. As seen in Figures 11 and 12, the bead is pressed outso that it projects on the front face of the impingement wall and is offset so that it will not interfere with obtaining an oil-tight joint when the sections are overlapped, portion 16 being spaced inwardly from the right-hand edge of the segment (Figure 11) so that the adjacent segment may lie flush against wall 21c, as indicated in dotted lines, irrespective of whether the parts are assembled in rectilinear or angular relationship.

This form of the invention also illustrates an alternate manner of interfitting the segments. As seen in Figure 12, the projecting wall portions 260 and 210 are located at the left-hand rather than the right-hand side of the segment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, but the parts are overlapped and function in the same way, and are designed for the same direction of head rotation in both forms of the invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments-aretherefore to' be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictiva; the scope of the invention being 'indicatedflbythe; appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing, description, and-all changes whichcome within the meaning and range of equivalency-of-the adjustable relative to each other in the plane Y of the ring and having their neighboring ends disposed in overlapping contacting relationship in all relative positionsof adjacent segments to provide substantially oil-tight flexible joints, said joints affording suflicient relative angular displacement of adjacent segments to enable the flame ring structure to accurately follow the contour of the wall of said combustion chamber irrespective of whether the latter is of curved or straight contour.

2. In a wall flame oil burner having a combustion chamber closed at its bottom by a hearth, a flame ring structure made up of a plurality of thin-walled metal structurally independent segments of channel shape section, each having an upright oil impingement Wall; an upright air deflecting wall; and a" base portion seated upon said hearth, said segments being assembled in end-to-end relationship for relative angular adjustment in the plane of the ring and having the neighboring ends of said Walls and base portions disposed in overlapping, substantially oil tight engagement, and means individual to each se ment for directly anchoring the same to said hearth.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein 5 one end of each segment is provided with an enlarged socket formation of suflicient size to telescopingly receive the wall and base portions of the neighboring segment end.

4. In a wall flame oil burner having a combustion chamber closed at its bottom by a hearth, a flame ring structure made up of a plurality of thin segments of channel shape section, each segment having an upright oil impingement wall; an upright air deflecting wall; and a substantially flat base portion adapted to seat upon said hearth; said segments being assembled in endto-end relationship around the hearth, with the impingement and air deflecting wall portions of each segment extending beyond the base portion at one end of each-segment and overlapping the corresponding wall portions of its neighboring segment to rovide telescoping, substantially oil and air tight joints between the segments.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the lower edges of the extended portions of said impingement and air deflecting walls are disposed substantially flush with the hearth.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the extended portions of said oil impingement and air deflecting walls are sufliciently long to permit said segments to be so assembled on said hearth as to define a curve of relatively short radius and yet maintain substantially air and oil , r oiltightoverlappingrelationsh b'oringwalls'.

7.'f'Ihe apparatus flecting wall.

" 8. In a wall flame oil burner 'having'.a com-' hearth,a plurality of relatively short coupled individual combustion ring segments mountedjlinend-tofend elationship around 'the ,hearth'fih] spaced relationship to said wall, 'eac'h'segmen't having a downwardly directed elementsecured to said hearth and an outwardly directed member bearing against said wall, to establish and maintain the proper spacing of said segments from said wall.

9. In a wall flame oil burner having a combustion chamber closed at its bottom by a hearth, a plurality of overlapping segments mounted on said hearth in spaced relationship to the combustion chamber wall and providing an upright oil impingement wall; and a. plurality of grills having means mounting them on said impingement wall, said segments each being sufliciently short to permit said impingement wall to closely follow the contour of the combustion chamber wall, said grills each being of a length slightly less than the combined overlapped length of two segments, whereby a set of any even number of segments will provide for installation of a series of grills aifording a substantially continuous grill ring, and said grill mounting means comprising a pair of legs on each grill adapted to seat upon two adjacent segments.

10. A combustion ring segment comprising a short and longitudinally continuous channelshaped thin metal member having one end materially enlarged for substantially loose telescopic coupling with the smaller end of an adjacent like segment.

11. In a wall flame oil burner having a combustion chamber closed at its bottom by a hearth, a flame ring structure made of a plurality of thin metal segments of channel shape section, each having an upright oil impingement Wall, an upright air deflecting wall and a base portion adapted to seat upon said hearth, said segments being assembled in end-to-end relationship and having the neighboring ends of the walls and base portions disposed in overlapping substantially oil tight engagement, and a downwardly extending element on each segment adapted to be anchored in said hearth.

12. A substantially fluid-tight wall flame ring for fuel oil burners, comprising a plurality of structurally independent linear units of rectangular channel form in cross-section arranged in successive order to form a closed ring, with the confronting ends of the corresponding channel walls of adjacent units in substantially O l ling contact with each other in the relative angular adjustment of said units in the plane of the ring from an aligned relation of the channels, to provide a flame ring of a desired general contour having substantially continuous channel walls.

13. The wall flame ring as defined in claim 12, wherein the individual ring units are each provided with means for anchoring the same to a combustion chamber hearth.

14. A combustion ring segment comprising a short thin metal member of substantially rectangular channel shape in cross-section having a stranges defined "in claim wherein; l the 'extende'd'portion of said oil impingement wall islonger than the extended portion .of said dej- 11 r low front uprightair impingement wall,ra higher upright rear air impingement wall and a base wall extending between the lower ends of said impingement walls, and at least one of said front and rear walls having an outwardly displaced end portion providing a materially enlarged socket for relatively loose reception of the smaller end of an adjacent like segment. Y I

15. In a wall flame burner having a combustion chamber provided with a hearth, a plurality of short longitudinally continuous thin metal individual combustion ring segments of channel shape in section arranged to provide a substanr 12 tially continuous combustion ring onsaid hearth, each segment having a low front air impingement wall, a higher rear oil impingement wall and abase wall adapted to be seated on said hearth, and said segments each being formed with a materially enlarged socketed end for receiving in relatively loose overlapped engagement the smaller end of the adjacent segment, said loose engagement permitting arrangement of adjacent segments in required angular disposition to suit the contour of said combustion chamber.

MILTON A. POWERS. NOEL H. SUTIERFIEID. 

